Prognostic significance of IL-6 and IL-8 ascites levels in ovarian cancer patients
2011

The Role of IL-6 and IL-8 in Ovarian Cancer Prognosis

Sample size: 39 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lane Denis, Matte Isabelle, Rancourt Claudine, Piché Alain

Primary Institution: Département de Microbiologie et Infectiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke

Hypothesis

IL-6 and IL-8 levels in ascites may affect the clinical progression of patients with ovarian cancer.

Conclusion

Elevated IL-6, but not IL-8, ascites level is an independent predictor of shorter progression-free survival.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mean ascites levels for IL-6 and IL-8 were 6419 pg/ml and 1408 pg/ml respectively.
  • High IL-6 ascites levels were significantly correlated with shorter progression-free survival.
  • Patients with high levels of IL-6 were 2.3 times more likely to have disease progression.

Takeaway

This study found that high levels of a substance called IL-6 in the fluid around ovarian tumors can mean that patients might not live as long without their cancer getting worse.

Methodology

IL-6 and IL-8 levels were measured in ascites from 39 patients using ELISA, and correlated with clinical parameters and progression-free survival.

Limitations

The small number of patients who received prior chemotherapy limits the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Patients were women with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P = 0.021 for IL-6; P = 0.008 for IL-8; P = 0.033 for multivariate analysis of IL-6.

Confidence Interval

95% CI, 1.09 - 4.84

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-11-210

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication